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USS Emory S. Land Completes Port Visit to Sepangar, Malaysia

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120411-05
4/11/2012

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elizabeth Fray, USS Emory S. Land Public Affairs

SEPANGAR, Malaysia (NNS) -- Submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) concluded a theater security cooperation (TSC) and friendship mission to Malaysia, April 9.

"This was a great visit that served to continue to foster our friendship and partnership with the Royal Malaysian Navy" said Capt. Paul Savage, USS Emory S. Land commanding officer. "We also thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality of the Malaysian people. While on liberty, our Sailors were excellent ambassadors for the U.S. and the Navy, while they enjoyed all that this beautiful country has to offer."

While in Malaysia, Land conducted a coordinated tended mooring with USS Louisville (SSN 724) and supported an evening reception on board the ship hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, Paul W. Jones.

Attendees for the reception included Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus; Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Adm. Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Bin Haji Jaafar; other RMN officers and civilian Malaysian dignitaries.

Prior to the reception, Mabus participated in an enlisted surface warfare specialist (ESWS) qualification pinning ceremony for USS Land Sailors and an enlisted submarine warfare (SS) "silver dolphins" pinning ceremony for USS Louisville Sailors.

"It was a long, intense process earning my ESWS qualification, and to be pinned by the SECNAV was the perfect culmination of everything I've worked for," said Seaman Apprentice Rayvandamne Dayap, assigned to Land. "It was a real honor, and I can't wait to tell my family."

While in port, Sailors were able to partake in Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sponsored events that included golf, white water rafting and climbing Mount Kinabalu, southeast Asia's highest peak, which towers over the Malaysian landscape at 13,435 feet.

"It was great having the opportunity to visit a place like Mt. Kinabalu," said Chief Information Systems Technician (SW/EXW) Bernard Dawson. "MWR did a great job in making a once in a lifetime opportunity accessible to the crew."

Crew members from Land and Louisville participated in a soccer match with sailors from the RMN and were involved with the local Malaysian community as well. A number of Sailors spent some of their off time participating in two community service projects at Likas Children's Hospital and Bukit Harapan Orphanage in the city of Kota Kinabalu.

"It couldn't have gone any better," said Chief Sonar Technician Submarine (SS) Winfred Cameron, attached to Louisville. "It was a chance for the tender and submarine to interact with children who needed our help and care."

Head nurse Matron Maureen Yunus of Likas Hospital and Bukit Harapan Orphanage founder Anne Keyworth said they were grateful to all who participated and helped put smiles on the faces of the hospitalized children and instilled hope and confidence in the orphans.

Savage and USS Louisville Commanding Officer Cmdr. Lee Sisco, visited with Royal Malaysian Naval Region Two Commander, Rear Admiral Dato' Pahlawan Mohammad Rosland Omar. Savage also made a visit to Datuk Abidin Madingkir, mayor of Kota Kinabalu. During both visits, Land and Louisville were praised for the crews' superb conduct and professionalism.

USS Emory S. Land divers conducted a coordinated scuba diving evolution with their RMN counterparts.

"We were honored by their invitation to conduct this coordinated diving operation," said Chief Navy Diver Jose Castilla. "This was an opportunity to enhance the enlisted side of our two militaries' growing relationship."

"It took a tremendous team effort to make this a very successful port visit," said Savage. "I can say without a doubt that I am very proud of my entire crew, both Sailors and civilian mariners alike. They can be justifiably proud of their performance and conduct, and the part they played in making this a very successful port visit engagement."

Land, homeported in Diego Garcia, got underway April 9, and will return to Guam, where it is currently on an extended deployment as lead submarine maintenance activity in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.